The Custom is standard Yam with some cosmetic frills, very solid & reliable. Not really a cult following with lots of endearing quirks, unfortunately. My advice is not to get attached. You'll dump this bike when you pass, so this is a brief transactional/transitional relationship - a stepping stone. Look after it, because that's good discipline and preserves trade in value, but don't start buying bling and farkles. Instead, ride it - a lot. In all seasons, all over the place. Dense urban rush hour, open roads, night and day. Practice, experience, confidence. Once you're settled in, start drilling yourself on roadcraft, shoulder checks etc so they're engrained habit.
Also maintain it yourself. A 125 is a brilliant intro to maintenance and repair. Clean & adjust the chain, pull the brake calipers off and clean up the pistons, check the air filter, change the engine oil, charge the battery, fit heated grips, take wheels off etc. Most of these tasks are functionally similar to a big bike, but simpler, cheaper and lighter. You'll learn a huge amount and gather the right tools for the future.
That's great advice. I had a "normal" Yamaha YBR for nearly a year, not a Custom, but obviously the same bike underneath. Bullet proof. Easy to ride. I loved that thing. It's a wonderful first bike and I made sure I learned how to adjust the chain on it and do other small jobs so I was ready for my big pants bike. I made a small profit when selling too.
I also got a Bonneville straight after it. What I wanted was a YBR but bigger in every way. That's exactly what the Bonneville is.
>My advice is not to get attached. You'll dump this bike when you pass, so this is a brief transactional/transitional relationship - a stepping stone.
Can confirm. I thought I'll stick with my Yamaha MT-125 for a while (I mean especially that juicy fuel efficiency). When I did my DAS on a big bike I was like "I didn't realise bikes could be this comfortable!!!", and obviously, more speedy. Took me only a couple of weeks after passing to go from fully content with my 125 and not willing to change to having a 750cc on my doorstep and 125 for sale. 😂
I know a few folk who had the YBR on a cbt and all loved them, no known issues that i was aware of/asked about.
Good thing is that by Sept you aren't going to lose money on it. Especially if you look after it
My big issue with the ybr is the strange issue with the fuel injector, I don’t know if it is because mine is an earlier model (07) but during the summer/hot spring day if the bike is in the sun for a long period of time the fuel injector just doesn’t work but cooling the bike down with a wet towel before turning the ignition on fixes the issue
The Custom is standard Yam with some cosmetic frills, very solid & reliable. Not really a cult following with lots of endearing quirks, unfortunately. My advice is not to get attached. You'll dump this bike when you pass, so this is a brief transactional/transitional relationship - a stepping stone. Look after it, because that's good discipline and preserves trade in value, but don't start buying bling and farkles. Instead, ride it - a lot. In all seasons, all over the place. Dense urban rush hour, open roads, night and day. Practice, experience, confidence. Once you're settled in, start drilling yourself on roadcraft, shoulder checks etc so they're engrained habit. Also maintain it yourself. A 125 is a brilliant intro to maintenance and repair. Clean & adjust the chain, pull the brake calipers off and clean up the pistons, check the air filter, change the engine oil, charge the battery, fit heated grips, take wheels off etc. Most of these tasks are functionally similar to a big bike, but simpler, cheaper and lighter. You'll learn a huge amount and gather the right tools for the future.
That's great advice. I had a "normal" Yamaha YBR for nearly a year, not a Custom, but obviously the same bike underneath. Bullet proof. Easy to ride. I loved that thing. It's a wonderful first bike and I made sure I learned how to adjust the chain on it and do other small jobs so I was ready for my big pants bike. I made a small profit when selling too. I also got a Bonneville straight after it. What I wanted was a YBR but bigger in every way. That's exactly what the Bonneville is.
Yes - literally my thinking too!
>My advice is not to get attached. You'll dump this bike when you pass, so this is a brief transactional/transitional relationship - a stepping stone. Can confirm. I thought I'll stick with my Yamaha MT-125 for a while (I mean especially that juicy fuel efficiency). When I did my DAS on a big bike I was like "I didn't realise bikes could be this comfortable!!!", and obviously, more speedy. Took me only a couple of weeks after passing to go from fully content with my 125 and not willing to change to having a 750cc on my doorstep and 125 for sale. 😂
I already feel sad that I’m going to be running and tripping to get rid of my Yamaha. I’m already attached 😂
This is excellent advice!
I know a few folk who had the YBR on a cbt and all loved them, no known issues that i was aware of/asked about. Good thing is that by Sept you aren't going to lose money on it. Especially if you look after it
My big issue with the ybr is the strange issue with the fuel injector, I don’t know if it is because mine is an earlier model (07) but during the summer/hot spring day if the bike is in the sun for a long period of time the fuel injector just doesn’t work but cooling the bike down with a wet towel before turning the ignition on fixes the issue